ASIA/MYANMAR - “Witness of the laity brings hope to the Church in Myanmar," Apostolic Delegate Archbishop Pennacchio tells Fides

Loikaw (Agenzia Fides) – The commitment of the laity, the testimony of faith and enthusiasm of young people for the mission are a source of "promise and hope for the Church in Myanmar." This is what Fides has learned from Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio, Apostolic Delegate to Myanmar, upon his return from a trip to the former Burma, where he had traveled for the episcopal ordination of the Auxiliary Bishop of Loikaw, Bishop Stephen Tjepe, and for the ordination of two deacons.
The Nuncio was very edified by the genuine faith and enthusiasm of the local community, which continues to live and proclaim the Gospel, despite the limitations and difficulties: "Once again I was able to experience the simple and genuine faith of the people of Loikaw. It is a community that is growing in faith, with the gift of many vocations to the priesthood and the consecrated life. The testimony of the "zetaman" (literally "little evangelists"), which form a secular diocesan institute for catechesis, gives hope the future of the Church in Myanmar. The Diocese of Loikaw was further enriched by the gift of a new auxiliary bishop and two priests. The prospects are very encouraging, especially for the enthusiasm you see. There is so much gratitude toward those who brought the Good News to Myanmar: the community is still so grateful to the priests of the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions, who brought the Gospel one hundred years ago in that region," Archbishop Pennacchio told Fides.
Archbishop Pennacchio, along with Bishop Sotero Pham of Loikaw and the Metropolitan Archbishop Matthias U Shwe of Taunggyi, ordained Bishop Stephen Tjephe, Auxiliary of Loikaw. The ceremony was preceded by a procession of more than 200 priests from other dioceses. In his homily, the Apostolic Delegate spoke of the three characteristics of the Bishop: loyalty, prudence, and goodness, referring to a homily of Pope Benedict XVI. The liturgy was very solemn and was accompanied by songs in Latin and in local languages. The ceremony was followed by about 30,000 faithful who filled the Cathedral and surrounding area.
After the religious ceremony, Archbishop Pennacchio blessed the two-story building of the new Diocesan Pastoral Center in Loikaw, dedicated to the Good Shepherd.
The representative also presided a Mass for the ordination of two deacons and the First Communion of 100 children. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 11/12/2009)